Lyme disease is caused by a spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi. A spirochete is a type of bacterium. Lyme disease is transmitted to dogs through the bite of a tick.. Lyme disease is transmitted to dogs through the bite of a tick. Once in the blood stream, the Lyme disease organism is carried to many parts of the body and is likely to localize in joints.
Possible neurological symptoms include: 1  muscle weakness in one area. 2  poor decision-making or concentration. 3  involuntary twitching. 4  trembling. difficulty speaking or swallowing.  seizures.
The condition is rare, affecting around 4,000 people in the UK each year. In its early stages, encephalitis has flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache and joint pain. Over some days or hours, other more serious symptoms develop. These include seizures, personality changes, confusion, drowsiness or disorientation.